Revive Your Sticky Dial Indicator

Follow along as I film some of my more interesting projects.
This little secret works. I got it from a camera guy.

[davidfuller]

Thank you for posting this! I just purchased a used Mitutoyo bore gauge and the dial indicator is sticking. I can tell that it is not a mechanical issue as I was able to loosen it up some simply by working it a bit. I will definitely give this a try.

[juanluiscalderon]

Thanks for your video and you time! Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱 ✌️

[machinenutdel]

Nice sponsorship deal with Ronsons you have there!

[acalciu]

Starrett has instrument oil for sale. Comes in a bottle and costs about 7 bucks. Made specifically for these devices. It is sold in lots of stores that cater to machichists.

[keldsor]

Hi Nik !

That's a very, very nice and nifty little trick ... I too have too many "gummy" dials laying around ... I'll go get some Ronson fluid and clean them up !

Thx for sharing !

[ActiveAtom]

Nice to find this video Nik, we are watchmakers and as watchmakers we learned that they are similar to a watch movement only easier and generally larger like a pocket watch yet still simpler then the watch complication we are used to working on, so we have been repairing our own sticky or eBay bought dial indicators for years thought I would just share this with you as I know you for your current fabrication video series that is temporarily on hold, we will await the motors arrival I believe you shared. Nice fix for your indicators Nik, you made them work. Lance & Patrick.

[zyzzy]

Hi,

I've used clock oil for this. Also get a syringe needle, blunt the tip, and glue a small glass tube to the part where the syringe goes. Then fill the tube with oil. Makes a great applicator for putting a small drop of oil just where you want it to go.

Jack

[MrPlusses]

Great tip.
I'm thinking they may add oil to their fluid so you can see the flame easier.

I've used thinned sewing machine oil for years in my film cameras, never had a failure with regular maintenance.

[MichaelJohnson-jtcu]

You can always mix some fine mineral oil to some mineral spirits

[WApnj]

7 years ago.. Wow.. Those things are not supposed to have any oil in them. Just rinse it out with pure Naphtha.. [Thats what lighter fluid is]

[paulcampbell]

Hi Nik
I have never tried the Ronson's stuff but it obviously works well. I have used the Starrett machine oil they sell in little yellow plastic bottles to good effect on sticky DTI's and micrometers. It is very "runny" and seems to stay fluid and non-gumming for years on fine threads etc.
I really enjoy your videos.
Paul in Canada

[Hotbeefsamich]

I so would have just dunked the whole thing!

[messenger]

I would just squirt some in there and operate the dial. After a while the fuel will evaporate and leave just a trace of oil. It will also clean off any dirt and sticky substance.

[petemoss]

Hi NIK - good tip, I will try that on my dial indicators .

[jamessherrill]

Great video, thanks for sharing! Have been wondering how or if I was going to fix my indicators.

[NikColyerMachineWorks]

Either one. I did all of my hopelessly sticky indicators back then and 4 years later they still move smooth.

[terrylarotonda]

Great information. I'm going to my shop and do just that. Just so happen to have that lighter fluid. Thanks for sharing.

[rodbambauer]

I got a pile of sticky ones in my toolbox...thanks Nik!

[dresser]

Used to use Starret  instrument oil (in Yellow can)  or Sewing machine oil

[robgerrits]

The Indicator Doctor! Thanks for the tip!